Still-low jobless claims bounce back to 269,000

Applications for unemployment benefits bounced up to end November, rising from the previous week's ultra-low 260,000 to 269,000, the Department of Labor reported Thursday morning.

The increase was right in line with the exectations of investors polled by Bloomberg. Claims statistics are adjusted to smooth out seasonal fluctuations.

Despite the tick up in the latest week's claims number, the monthly average for initial claims fell, by 1,750 to 269,250.

The weekly jobless claims, taken from state unemployment offices, have been among the brightest signs regarding the U.S. economy in recent months, plumbing lows not seen in four decades in recent months.

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